Daniel Son & Giallo Point – “Remo Gaggi” (GialloPoint.BandCamp.Com) – Once again displaying the chemistry showcased on their 2016 release “The Gunners”, Canadian wordsmith Daniel Son and UK producer Giallo Point dropped another high-calibre batch of razor-sharp rhymes and sample-driven beats.

Tha 4orce – “Setting Standards” (Tha4orce.BandCamp.Com) – UK Hip-Hop vet Tha 4orce delivered his long-awaited production album “Setting Standards”, featuring lyrical heavyweights such as Ray Vendetta, Dubbledge and Arise King David all living up to the project’s title as they dropped accomplished wordplay over a stellar selection of beats.

Crimeapple – “Metralleta” (FxckRxp.BandCamp.Com) – New Jersey’s Crimeapple spent 2017 consistently leaking impressive free music across the internet. But this official EP release was undoubtedly the grimy rhymer’s crowning achievement of the year. Produced entirely by Buck Dudley, this release found Crimeapple weaving his sharp, street-influenced verses around minimalist, stripped down beats.

Doc Brown – “Stemma” (DocBrown.Co.UK) – Before he became known as a comedian and actor, London’s Doc Brown spent some years establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with in the UK Hip-Hop scene. Returning to his rap roots, “Stemma” found the talented emcee demonstrating that his passion for music still burns strong, dropping both personal verses and boisterous braggadocio over an eclectic mix of genre-blurring production.

Sean Price – “Imperius Rex” (DuckDown.Com) – This posthumous project from the late, great Sean P was as impressive as it was bittersweet. A quality showcase of the Brooklyn emcee’s unique skills and irrepressible personality, the album was also a poignant reminder of the talent the rap world lost following Price’s untimely death in 2015. That being said, Dru Ha and the Duck Down camp did a sterling job here of ensuring “Imperius Rex” was a worthy addition to both the man’s discography and legacy. Ruck Down lives on. P!!!

Da Flyy Hooligan – “S.C.U.M.” (22Entertainment.BandCamp.Com) – The artist formerly known as Iron Braydz came correct in no uncertain terms on this dope full-length effort, cutting through the mellow, hypnotic production of Agor with his razor-sharp wordplay and bold delivery. Fresh like a pair of brand new sneakers.

Apollo Brown & Planet Asia – “Anchovies” (ApolloBrown360.BandCamp.Com) – It was clear from the outset that only good things could come from a collaboration between Detroit producer Apollo Brown and West Coast vet Planet Asia. Both masters of their respective crafts, Brown’s minimalist production style on this project gave PA’s heavy-mental verses plenty of room to breathe, which allowed the listener to really digest the content of the rhymes on offer here. Once again, another Mello Music Group sureshot!